Words for the Beginning—Our 2024 Advent series, “Words for the Beginning: Advent Reminders for New Seasons” was created by the creative team at Sanctified Art. The following is their message on the theme and series:

Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church year rushes in. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving; and yet, the world as we know it spins madly on.

This Advent series is filled with blessings, with the words we need to hear again and again as we begin a new season. We imagined the words Mary would speak to her newborn son. What scriptures and stories would she impart to him? What lessons would she teach him as he grew? And so, our weekly themes may feel like the lessons we teach to children, but in reality, these are lessons we continue to learn and relearn as adults. We invite you to enter this Advent season as if you are entering a sacred new chapter, holding fast to the reminders that will bolster you for the journey ahead.

In many ways, pregnant Mary was surrounded by endings—large and small, personal and political. And yet, Mary proclaimed hope in a God who was and is making all things new. As we also move through new chapters, may these words for the beginning renew us and remind us of the ways we are called to live out our faith. No matter what you are facing, no matter what this new day brings, let love be your beginning.

The Christmas season is hallmarked by joy. The angels sing. The shepherds run. The star shines. Mary cherishes. Christ is born! In response to all this good news, we sing “Joy to the World!” with grateful celebration.

On December 29, the order of worship, inspired by a “Lessons & Carols” service, follows a “Lessons & Laughter” format.

The service includes three lessons; in each lesson, there is a scripture reading, a hymn/song, and a creative response rooted in joy. The creative responses in this liturgy include a children’s sermon, a prolonged passing of the peace, and a creative written prayer. We invite you to come worship together and live into the joy of the Christmas season! 

End-of-Year Giving for 2024

As we approach the end of the fiscal year, some of you may be planning to make donations to the church for the 2024 tax year or to fulfill your pledge and giving for the year. If you wish your donations to be credited for this year they must reach the church or be postmarked no later than December 31st. Contact our finance administrator, Peni Kehoe, with your questions. Peni Kehoe: (770)786-7321, ext. 1011 | peni@fpccov.org

Office Holiday Hours

Mon, Dec. 23 - OPEN with limited staff

Tues, Dec 24-Fri, Dec. 27 - CLOSED during office hours

Mon, Dec 30-Tues, Dec 31 - OPEN with limited staff

Wed, Jan 1 - CLOSED

There will be no e-news next week on Dec. 26

Music Ministry will return to normal on January 8th with LOGOS Children's Choir after Soul Feast and Chancel Choir at 6:30pm! Handbells will resume normal scheduling starting January 15th at 5:45pm!

Lectio Divina will return to weekly meetings at noon on Tuesday, January 14th!

Visit pda.pcusa.org to learn about providing Hurricane Relief through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

Click the button to pledge your treasures for 2025!

Completed Pledge Cards can be...

• Emailed to peni@fpccov.org
• Brought/mailed to the Church office
• 1169 Clark Street SW, Covington, GA 30014
• Placed in the offering plate during worship

We may have had Commitment Sunday, but it’s not too late to make your commitment by offering your Time, Talent, and Treasures! Submit your Pledge Card today to be included in our 2025 Operating Budget!

Space Update:

Dear Church family, 

We have gone live with our updated security system. Please note that access to the building is under new protocols. 

We are excited to announce we have completed 99% of our building updates in regards to fire, sprinkler, and security! It is a joy to be good stewards of safety in our church. Our goal is to ensure the safety of our staff, congregation, guests, and all others on our campus and to empower our FPC Family to move with confidence in case of an emergency. We are live with our updated security system! Please note that access to the building will be under new protocols. We have been working diligently to make sure this will be a smooth transition. Change brings about growing pains so we encourage you to extend grace and contact Neeley or Catherine with any questions. We are truly grateful for the faithful work of our congregation in our proactive efforts to care for our space and people! 

With gratitude, Neeley

October Finance Report:

In October we spent $8,407 more than we took in. This has been a common occurrence this year. However, we are about where we expected with a budget that was approved with a deficit of $61,786 for the year. Our pledged income is under budget by $12,665; our total income is under by $6,825. The good news is our ministries are moving forward because of your commitment to Covington First Presbyterian Church. Your Session has been diligent is being good stewards of the gifts you have given. Please continue your generous giving for the remainder of the year. Any gifts you make will help with our financial health.

We thank all of you for the gifts of your Time, Talent and Treasure!

Have you made a commitment for the 2025 budget? If not, please consider making a financial commitment to keep our ministries on track.

Blessings for this holiday season from your Finance Team!

--The Finance Team

Remember you can make your offering by sending a check or by logging on to your Realm account or by using “Text to Give” your offering! Text* FPCCOV followed by your donation amount to: 73256 and follow the link to give online. Select “2024 Pledge” if you made a stewardship pledge. Select “Non-Pledge” for a general offering.

Finance Reports are updated following approval in monthly Finance Team meetings.

FPC Legacy of Love Endowment

Remember you can always give to the FPC Legacy of Love Endowment to make a gift that will last for generations to come!

The Children's Christmas Pageant was wonderful! Our FPC Kids and Youth put so much hard work into this day and we are so proud of them!

We are sorry to all who tried to watched online and couldn't because the sound did not work on the live stream.

We had a wonderful time Christmas caroling this Sunday! The weather was just right after a couple of years being cancelled due to rain or cold.

Please keep the following people and their families in your prayers this week:

Most recent prayer requests

Requests will be moved to “ongoing” after three weeks unless the office is notified

• Doug Bolton - recovering from surgery
• Hattie Bellinger - recovering from foot surgery
• Faye kitchens
• Beth Vining AFib
• The Spence Family, friends of Angie Woodham
• Scott Meadows, friend of Judy Davis - upcoming surgery for thyroid cancer
• Mike Riding, cousin of Miriam Wheeler
• Alicia Taylor, friend of Miriam Wheeler - stitches on hand

Ongoing prayer requests

Requests will be removed from “ongoing” after six weeks unless the office is notified.

• Wesley Berg, friend of Tom Crews - pancreatic cancer
• Arthur Raines, nephew of Danny Vining - complications from neck spine surgery
• Charlotte Riley, mother of Susan Landwehr - ill in the hospital
• Janice Campbell, friend of John Leavitt
• Charlie Kennon, brother of Larry Kennon
• Nancy, friend of Mark & Jennifer Fogarty - stage IV pancreatic cancer
• Joel Kitchens - recovering from surgery
• Lucy Milner, sister of Day Kennon
• Ava Moss, friend of Donna Weesner - cancer
• Jane Parker
• Trevor Sookdeo, friend of Donna Weesner - critical health concerns
• Mary Lee Aldridge, friend of Alice Walker - cancer
• Jill Chandler, sister of Brad Hawley - cancer
• Kim Fratesi, friend of Mark & Jennifer Fogarty - pancreatic cancer
• Vicky Chicola, sister-in-law of Susan Landwehr

Condolences

• Our thoughts and prayers are with Laina Lalane and her family as they mourn the loss of her brother, Darion, on December 4.
• Our thoughts and prayers are with the McWaters family as they mourn the loss of Shelby McWaters.

Military Service

• Koen Ardis - Navy
• Billy Scarborough - Marines
• Clint Williams - Army
• Daryl Williams - Army

Independent and Assisted Living

• Penny Blakeney - Prema at Ashton Hills
• Homer Borders - Presbyterian Village
• Jean Elder - Florida with her daughter
• Dot Fincher - Madison, GA
• Louly Hay - Presbyterian Village Athens
• Carol McGiboney - Prema at Ashton Hills
• Jon Paschal - Annandale Village, Suwanee
• Louise White - Prema at Ashton Hills

Prayer requests and updates may be given to either of our pastors, put in the offering plate, or emailed to catherine@fpccov.org